Tuesday expected to be one of the busiest travel days Thanksgiving week
Tuesday is expected to be one of the busiest travel days - possibly the busiest - this Thanksgiving week.
As you and your family get ready to head over to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), here's what you can expect.
Whether traveling by air or on the roads, a record number of North Carolinians are expected to be on the move for Thanksgiving this year.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expecting the 2024 holiday season to be one of the busiest ever for air travel with crowds pouring in this week. TSA estimates 18.3 million people will fly through U.S. airports Tuesday through Monday.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is expecting at least the same number of travelers as it did last year, when more than 400,000 people flew in and out of the Triangle in 2023.
Nearly 1.4 million traveled through RDU in October, and Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the busiest days at the airport, according to a spokesperson.
Meredith Hamnor and her husband, Chance Hamnor, were at RDU Tuesday morning to head to Orlando for Thanksgiving.
"We always try to leave the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to avoid the crowds," Meredith Hamnor said. "You never know if you have to wait in line. You have to be prepared."
Chance Hamnor said he was shocked by the long lines.
"I've never seen them this long," he said. "So I think it's shocking ... and I'm very glad we have TSA precheck."
A number of variables could make for travel nightmares this week, including bad weather, increased TSA lines or even a worker strike at Charlotte's airport that could have ripple effects in Raleigh.
United Airlines urges travelers to allow extra time to make their Thanksgiving flights, especially on the way home on Sunday.
"We always say, get to the airport early," said Nicole Carriere, a spokesperson for United. "This is the year to actually listen. This is the time where everyone is going to travel around the same time. Tuesday and Wednesday will be really busy, but even after the holiday [it] will be busier. Sunday may set an all-time travel record. If you're a person trying to get in and out quickly for the holiday, plan ahead."
Make sure you have a plan on how to get to their airport. If you're planning to drive yourself, make sure you check parking availability ahead of time.
On Monday afternoon, more than 2,000 spots were available in RDU's central parking decks, but that's sure to fill up quickly in the next two days.
People traveling domestically are advised to be at the airport at least two hours before their flight.
National travel numbers are also expected to break records, creating a busy holiday period across the U.S.
According to AAA, more than two million North Carolinians are expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, setting a new state record.
"Click It or Ticket," a statewide program reminding drivers to buckle up before you get on the busy roads, is underway for Thanksgiving.
Drivers in North Carolina can face up to $187 in fines and fees if anyone in their vehicle is not wearing a seat belt. The campaign runs through Sunday.
Travelers should be prepared for potential complications, as two separate storm systems are set to impact parts of the country this week.
WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione said traveling west may be the most challenging. Six western states were under winter weather alerts Sunday, with rainy and snowy conditions already affecting that region.
Getting home may be even more difficult, as a storm system is expected to move through later in the week. Thanksgiving Day, in particular, is forecast to be the most disruptive day for travel in the Triangle.
WRAL News spoke with Rebekah Kent, a passenger preparing to fly home on Friday morning who shared their concerns.
"It's probably going to be crazy rain, some crazy wind, some wild waits at the airport, and some wild weather. But we're going to get home no matter what. We're just gonna get through it, right?" Kent said.
With the large travel numbers and messy weather, expect longer lines, more traffic and possible disruptions to your travel plans.
Be prepared for a challenging journey, but stay patient, it's all part of the holiday experience.